Lamp-socket and the like.



C. J. KLEIN.

LAM-P SOCKET AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24. l9l3- 1,228,026. Patented May 29,1917.

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CHARLES J'. KLEIN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOB TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. 00., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

LAMP-SOCKET AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLEs J. KLEIN, a

citizen of the United States, residin at Mil-.

waukee, in the county of Milwa cc and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lamp-Sockets and the like, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to lamp sockets, pendent switches, and the like.

It has among "its objects to provide an improved locking means for holding the parts of a casing and the device contained therein against relative rotation and axial separation, and also to provide insulating means for the conducting parts.

Certain further objects will be pointed out hereinafter. 4

In order that my invention may be fully set, forth and clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawing, one embodiment thereof as applied to'a lamp socket of the push-button type. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is susce tible to modification and ap lication to ot er uses without departing rom the sco e thereof.

' n the drawing,

'Figure 1 is a sectional view of the lamp socketf Fig; 2 is a perspective .view of the inner face=of one part of the insulatin cover;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view 0 the outer face of the part shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective top view of the same;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the casing-cap;

Fig. .6 is a bottom view of the same;

Fig. 7 is a to view of the casing shell;

Fig. 8 is a si e'elevation of the same partially broken away; and,

Fig. 9 is a view at right angles to Fig.- 8, also partially broken'awag. v

The structure illustrate includes an insulating base 1 adapted to carry on its upper face a switch mechanism (not shown) and carrying on its lower face a screw shell 2. Terminals 3 are also mounted on opposite sides of the base to receive line wires. The

terminals 3 are accessible from the sides of the base as shown and the screw shell 2 is secured to the latter b screws 4 located at substantially right ang as to the terminals.

The base is contained-in a casing comprismg a cap 5 and a shell 6. The cap and shell are adapted to telescopically unite and are provided on their attaching ends with interengaging latches, described hereinafter.- In order to house the switch mechanism and insulate the line conductors I provide an insulating cover designed to be mounted on the base 1. I

This insulatin cover is preferably vertically divided into two symmetrical sections 7 It will be obvious, however, that it may be made inone piece, if desired. As shown, each section of the cover is substantially semi-cylindrical and has a semi-circular chamber 8 in its lower end adapted to. house the switch mechanism. At the top of each section of the cover is a semi-circular recess 9 with oppositely disposed channels or recesses 10 inclined, downwardly from the center toward the sides of the cover. Thus when the parts of the cover are-fitted together a central circular opening is provided in its top, and divided tunnels extend downwardly therefrom. These tunnels act as passages for line conductors leading to the terminals 3. The cover has a circumferential flange 11 intermediate its ends, which rests upon the upper edge of the shell 6 and abuts the flanged shoulder 12 of the cap v5 when the parts are assembled to limit further telescopic attachment thereof. Recesses 13 are provided on opposite sides of its lower end to receive the operating member of the switch mechanism. Rectangular projections lit are also provided below the flange on opposite'sides of the cover and preferably at points directly above the recesses 13 therein, as shown in Fig. 3. The sections of the cover are secured to the base by means of the usual screws. 4: which secure the base and screw shell together and which in this case are countersunk in the cover. It will thus be seen that line wires may be inserted through the cover and attached to the terminals 3 without removal of the cover, since the tunnels l0, afford an unobstructed passage from v the central opening 9 to the terminals. The latter remain accessible from the sides of the base asalready described. If desired, how ever, one section of the insulating cover may be removed by loosening one of the screws 4..

The, terminals thus become entirely exposed bead 15 between the flat ledge an the lower margin of the cap. The cap is also preferably provided with an annular shoulder 12 spaced from its lower edge and located at the union of the straight wall andtapered top of the cap. The flange has two oppositely disposed notches 17 preferably cut to the rim of thecap as shown, and, at 90 therefrom, additional smaller notches 18 cut into the flat ledge.

The shell 6 has'opp sitely disposed slots 19 in its upper'end increasing its resiliency and accommodating the reciprocating push bar of the switch, ,mechanism. The projections 14 on 'the insulatingv cover are also received in the slots 19 so that the socket is held in fixed position within the shell; At the edge of these slots the metal. of the shell is bent outwardly to form vertically extending lugs 20 which alford flat stops for the projections 14 on the insulating cover and which also cooperate with the cap to prevent relative rotation of the shell, as will be described. Around the peripheryof the shell and preferably at right angles to the slots 19, area plurality of outwardly pressed nibs 21 having horizontal lower edges. The metal of the shell about the nibs 21 is stifl'ened to increase its strength by providing ribs 22 therein extending downvilalliily a slight distance from the top of the s e When it is desired'to assemble the parts of the device, line conductors are inserted through the opening in the receiving cap and brought directly through the central opening in the insulating cover, through the tunnels therein, to the terminal posts. The insulating cover with the base 1 and screw shell 2 .fit' snugly into the shell 6. The reciprocating push bar of the switch Inecha nism' and the projections 14 on the cover thereabove drop into slots in the shell while the circumferential-flange 1101? the cover rests upon the upper edge of the shell. nowiturnin' the shell so'that the lugs 20 register wit% the notches 17 in the cap, the shell may be pushed into engagement therewith until the flange 11 on the insulating cover abuts the'shoulder'12 on the interior of the cap. When the shell and cap are attached the faces of the lugs 20 coact with the sides of the notches 17 toprevent rotary the insulating cover of reduced movement while the edges of the nibs 21 coact with the face of alinement with the axial separation. I

At the same time separation of the parts is readily accomplished by pressing the shell inwardly beneath the oppositely disposed lugs, and thus disengaging the latter. from the flange of the cap. Compression of the shell is permitted at these points by making size below the flange 15 in radial notches 18 to prevent the flange.

It will thus be noted that by my improved construction I have provided practical and easily manufactured means for efliciently insulating line conductors from receiving caps without the use of separately lining the caps, and I have also provided an exceedingly simple locking means for the parts of the casing, particularly adapted for eflicient use with the other parts of the improved device.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a casing for lamp sockets comprising a cap and shell, a supporting base therein for the current carrying parts, and an insulating member within said casing and removably secured to said base independently of said cap to insulate conductors to be connected with said current carrying parts from each other and from said cap.

2. In a lamp socket or similar device, in

combination, a casing comprising a conductor receiving cap and a shell, a support ing base within said casing adapted to carry a switch mechanism and oppositely disposed terminals accessible fromthe sides thereof, and an insulating cover secured to said base or interiorly insulating said conductor receiving cap, said coverhaving a plurality of recesses therein providing free pass:;ge

for conductors to be connected to said terminals and having a chamber for housing said switch mechanism. 1

3. In a lamp socket or similar device, in

combination, a'casing'comprismg a cap and shell, an insulating base therein carrying oppositely disposed terminals adapted to receive conductors, and a divided insulating cover having its parts independently secured 'to said base-at points spaced from said terminals for insulating said con-.7.

ductors from said cap, the parts of said cover being independently detachable.

4., In a lamp socket or similar device, in combination, a receiving cap provided with an inturned marginal portion, a resilient shell having lugs adapted to cooperate with said marginal ortion to lock-said 0a and shell against re ative rotation and axia sep aration, an insulating b se within said shell for the current s ca'rry, terminalsyand an insulating cover, secured parts including to said base and lining said cap, said cover having a central opening in its top registering with the opening in said receiving cap, tunnels extending therefrom to said terminals for the reception of line Wires, and a projection adapted to cooperate with cermin of said lugs on said shell to lock said base against rotation within said shell.

5. A resilient shell for lamp sockets hav- 10 ing a projecting llig adjacent one end, the

metal of said shell being stifl'ened about said lug.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES J. KLEIN.

lVitnesses: LEONARD A. WV TSON, FRANK H. HUBBARD. 

